Hello RFP,

I absolutely love the podcast. I wanted to share my story seeing I actually have a connection with Brian Edwards (but he probably does not remember me). I was saved in a true Independent Fundamentalist Baptist church. (Other than the name, which they had issues with for a while and had to add it under the sign in small letters) Church of the Open door pastored by none other than Dr. Norris Belcher. Original pastor is the editor of the Sword of the Lord Shelton Smith. I had listened to every preacher you have discussed on the podcast. I listened to messages and followed closely the dogmatic attitudes about KJ Only, no pants on women, No long hair on men, no short hair on women, no contemporary music, and so so much more. I had fallen head first but it never felt right. I felt the calling of God on my life when I was 18 and headed off to college. At the time many people from my Christian school (including the pastor’s son) were heading to TTU. I spent two years there until the day my pastor came to preach and the majority of the people did not like him, his sermon, nor those who attended his church. I left the next year along with the pastor’s son and headed to a different college. I then attended Crown College for two years. After graduation, I was an assistant pastor in multiple IFB churches. I still respect many of the pastors so I will not name names here but you would recognize the names. The whole time I felt I did not belong because I felt as if the things being preached on were not… how do you say… Biblical! This is where Brian Edwards comes in… In 2013 I became the pastor of Brush Arbor Baptist Church in Danville, Virginia. At the end of my two years there a major event took place that shook my world, my family, and my life. I was introduced to a recovering fundamentalist (Brian) by Pastor Barber at Westover Baptist Church. This was the beginning of my recovery. To make a long story short, after 6 years I have started a church in Stafford, Virginia and am now continuing my recovery from the IFB. I will say this, after my shakeup in Danville, the Lord guided me to study his Word closely. Because of this shakeup, I lost every pastor friend I had in the IFB. No one reaches out and no one wants to talk to this recovering fundamentalist (maybe just to talk about me). There is so much more to my story, oh the things I could tell you all. I think my favorite was the time that Dr. Tony Hutson came to preach at the High School chapel and how he got (literally) in the face of the principle and criticized him for wearing a blue shirt. Such a sinner! I pray for those still stuck in that camp. My prayer for them is that they see the truth and find a good place to worship and be encouraged, edified, and uplifted in the Word of God. Also, in today’s digital age, finding effective ways to enhance worship services with tools such as virtual AV hire can be a valuable resource for churches looking to make a significant impact